Do Whitening Products Harm Your Enamel?

Posted on 7/10/2018 by Beautiful Smiles Office

Are you thinking about teeth whitening? If so, you should discuss the risks and rewards with your dentist. While whitening treatments recommended by your dentist are generally safe, you may get into some trouble with store-bought whitening kits.

Risk of Enamel Loss

Certain bleaching treatments have been associated with a reduction in the hardness value of the enamel. Treatments with the highest concentrations of the bleaching agent are the greatest concern, as they'll lead to higher amounts of loss.

Fortunately, the body is always working to repair damage, which is true of the enamel in these cases. Within a week, your body should re-mineralize this loss, and your teeth will return to their normal hardness.

While the teeth may recover, you need to think about the cost. It is possible that you may damage your teeth when the enamel is at its weakened state. When your teeth are vulnerable, decay and other issues may have a chance to develop.

Increased Sensitivity

While enamel damage is certainly a concern with whitening products, increased sensitivity is by far the greatest complaint. When you bleach your teeth, the chemical agent will travel into the tiny holes on the surface of the teeth. While that is necessary to improve the color, it can also cause an inflammatory response within the deepest layers. This may result in pain and discomfort, especially when eating hot or cold food items.

Again, this may not be a long-term problem. For most participants, this heightened sensitivity went away within a week of bleaching. However, some people do experience prolonged sensitivity that does not go away, so you'll want to consult your dentist if you already have sensitivity issues.

It is understandable that you want your smile to look its best, and we are here to help. Call us today to learn more about our whitening services.